Ashley To Get Rid Of Black And White Stripes?

02 October 2012 03:21

Newcastle have changed shirt sponsors - just after bringing out the new strip. So who gains MOST from this? Could it be Sports Direct?

Toon fans were quick to have their say about the change . with many suggesting Mike Ashley would be the man raking in the bucks.

But the Virgin deal runs for the whole season, so there won't be a change until the summer.

At over £64 each for a kids strip, it is indeed an expensive business.

But long gone are the days you get two seasons out of a strip. It changes every summer, with the second and third strips changed every campaign.

What else can Ashley do to upset the fans having taken the name St James' Park away from them . well . he could get rid of our black and white stripes next!

Derek Llambias, United’s managing director, said: “We have enjoyed a very successful partnership with Virgin Money which we thank them for.

“However, we have decided to end the agreement early and we will be announcing a new sponsorship partner shortly which represents an excellent commercial deal for both parties.”

Virgin Money confirmed that the club had chosen to exercise its contractual right to end the two-year sponsorship deal with the bank.

The agreement would have run until the end of the 2013/2014 season, but either party had the right to terminate the agreement early by giving notice.

Jayne-Anne Gadhia, chief executive at Virgin Money, said: “We were delighted to sponsor Newcastle United given the club’s importance to the North East and had hoped that this would be a relationship that would flourish for years to come.

“However, they have found a different option and we have to respect that.

“We remain sponsor until the end of the current season and the Virgin Money name will continue to be worn on the iconic black and white shirts until then.

“We hope it is a really successful season and, of course, we wish the team and fans all the very best for the future as they strive to build on Newcastle United’s proud heritage.”